:: Quinn POV ::
Maybe I was born unlucky, unfortunate to fall in love with someone who's not capable of loving me back. Or maybe the fault lies in the fact that I fell in love at all. But as they say, whoever falls in love first, loses.
It wasn't supposed to happen. I had my life all thought out, well, sort of. I guess the fact about me being a half-breed, with fae blood running through my veins, considerably narrowed my choices.
I didn't know I had fae blood until five years ago, when I turned eighteen. When I suddenly glowed, literally, from the surge of power that had been dormant within me for years.
Before that day, I was a typical child with a slightly introverted behavior and regular teenage issues. To say I was freaked out by the incident would be an understatement. Who wouldn't be?
I remember that I woke up late on the day of my eighteenth birthday which was, in itself, odd. I never sleep in. Ever. I performed my usual morning routine and failed to notice the strange changes in my body until I saw my reflection on the full-length mirror, mounted on my bathroom door.
My normally short-cropped hair grew past my shoulders and cascaded down my back to my waist, in the space of one night. It turned from ordinary mousy brown to showy platinum blonde. My parents would never believe me if I said I didn't dye or used chemicals on my hair. They're already worried, thinking I'm going through a 'rebellious' phase. This belief mainly stems from the fact that I enjoy being alone, I do not actively interact with others and I often lock myself in my room. I didn't want them to think this sudden change is another 'phase' they should be concerned about.
In truth, I wasn't rebelling against my parents, why would I? I just don't know how to communicate with them. Atleast, not anymore. We used to have long conversations everyday. They'd ask about how my day went and I'd do the same. But for some reason, as I grew older, the conversations became less. Until one day, a simple talk turned into a heated argument and before I realized what was happening, I was labeled 'rebellious'.
Contrary to what my parents believe, I had friends in school, people I usually hang out and have fun with. But I had no one, close enough, to share confidences with. And honestly, I'm more of an observer so I usually prefer to be alone. It's less stressful and more peaceful that way.
All in all, I didn't want to fuel my parents' frustrations, over my inability to properly socialize, with my current issue.
I worried over the thought of my Mum having a nervous fit at the sight of my new hair do and the probability of my Dad suffering a heart attack. My parents were already in their early sixties, by then, and any form of excitement could send them over the edge. In distress, I did what any normal person would do. I tried cutting my hair.
But no matter how much I cut, the damned thing kept on growing back. It was like it had a mind of its own and it was silently telling me to fuck off and leave it alone. In the end, I left it as it was and comforted myself by tying it on a tight bun so I could pretend it's not there.
Aside from my crazy hair, my face and body have undergone major changes as well. Not that I mind but it felt like I was looking at someone else's reflection rather than myself.
My skin became visibly clearer, paler. My cheekbones were more pronounced, my nose more defined, my lips more sculpted and tinged pink. I suddenly stood a few centimeters under six feet and my used to be skinny and flat body filled out in all the right places.
But the biggest change was the color of my eyes. My eyes used to be dull with not much color or life in them, if I had to be completely honest.
People say the eyes are the windows of the soul. It used to bother me when I looked at my reflection and noticed that my eyes seemed emotionless. Like I have no feelings or understanding of anything. I can't describe it but it was a bit depressing.
My eyes used to be chocolate brown with dark lashes framed by equally dark brows. Normal and very ordinary. But now, my eyes seemed vivid, piercing and teasing, naughty and somewhat seductive. Expressive, to say the least. It appears like I'm forever having a secret laugh over something or nothing in particular. Their usual dull color turned to the shade of exotic green, like those you see in the deepest part and heart of the forest.
With my looks and the usual way I carried myself, I used to blend in with the crowd and it's hard to pick me out with just a passing glance. I liked it that way. But now, no matter how low key or subdued I behave, with my ethereal and otherworldly looks, I stand out like a sore thumb everywhere I go.
Apparently, for the past seventeen years I've been living off my human life force while my fae blood lies dormant, deep within me. When I reached the age of maturity, the fae blood activated and could not be hidden any longer. Hence, the drastic change in my appearance.
It was bad enough I've undergone an extreme makeover in the span of one night, with no ready or logical excuse to anyone and everyone who knows me, to make matters worse, I started to glow like a beacon of white light. I was shining like a firefly only bigger and brighter, much brighter.
Fortunately, I wasn't slow or had the tendency to panic. I realized immediately that I 'glow' when my emotions are unstable. If I'm excited, upset, aggravated or aroused, I turn into a damn spotlight. I had to learn how to school my emotions and control my reactions after the fact.
Oh and remember how I worried over my parents' reaction to my current looks? As it turned out, I fussed for absolutely nothing! Why? As it turned out, my parents already had suspicions this 'change' would happen, eventually.
After my Mum came to my room, to wake me up, and saw my new, glowing self, they sat me down in the living room, where all the important conversations happened. And there, my parents slowly and cautiously revealed to me that I was adopted.
I was shocked, of course. I had a nagging feeling but I never paid much attention to it. Mum and Dad loved me, I have no doubts about that. I had insecurities about being their child, but I never pursued the possibility that maybe I wasn't. They apologized and swore they were going to tell me when I am older and more mature. But my sudden 'change' hurried the whole business along.
Apparently, during the first month, after they brought me home, I glowed like I was glowing at the moment. They were afraid, of course. They knew I wasn't ordinary or wholly human. But they've waited years to have a baby, to have me. They would never consider abandoning me. And so, they kept my 'glowing' a secret. Blessedly, after the first month, the glowing stopped and I appeared like a regular, normal 'human' baby.
Mum cried, so did Dad, they kept reassuring me, telling me over and over that it didn't matter what I was or where I came from. I am their child, their one and only, and they loved me the way I am. I never loved or respected my parents more until that moment. They were great and amazing people and I am honored and privileged to be their child.
But there was no hiding my sudden change so my parents decided to keep low key for a while as they arranged for the family to move. Yes, I have an awesome family. My parents were willing to leave everything they know, uproot themselves and start a new life in order to be with me and to protect me. They knew people would be curious and some might even try to hurt me. They didn't want to stay and wait for something bad to happen.
But unfortunately, it did happen…
Two weeks after my eighteenth birthday, our home was attacked by nameless villains who tried to capture me. I don't know how they found out about me but that was the first and last straw that broke the camel's back. I almost lost my life that night and I placed the lives of my parents in danger. I shuddered at the thought of what ifs and what not, so I decided it was time for me to leave. To keep my parents safe, I had to go away, far away. I had to disappear.
I don't understand why or how but somehow, I realized I have the innate ability to erase people's memory. I never tried it before the night I erased all traces of myself from my mother and father's memories.
The look on my Mum's face when she realized what I was about to do broke my heart. My Dad pleaded and asked me to reconsider. But I made up my mind. It was for their own good, not just to keep them safe from others but to keep them from worrying. This would ensure they would not feel pain from the thought of me somewhere alone, far away from them, and not knowing if I was still alive or already dead. I loved them too much to allow them to suffer like that.
I was attacked three more times after I left home. For some reason, I couldn't hide who or what I was from whoever that was hunting me.
It took me time to adjust to my new self and my new life but once I did, it felt like some sort or rebirth. I found out there were a lot of supernatural beings scattered all over every town and city. Some were flaunting their true selves while there are others, like me, who liked to keep it low key and simple. Curiously, the humans were oblivious.
No one in the community knew or recognized me. They believed I was some exotic, mysterious creature that magically materialized out of thin air. The way I used fae magic was crude but I was quite powerful for a newborn. And I've got to say, having striking looks and almost blinding appeal had its perks. No one bothered me. They were too in awe to have the courage to do so and were reduced to ogling me from afar.
Eventually, I met another half-breed fae. It soothed me to meet and know someone who had gone through the same experiences I did. The only difference was, she was living happily with her parents. My new friend was under the care and protection of her biological human mother and shapeshifter stepfather.
Iya and her family were kind and loving people. I was almost tempted to take their offer, to stay with them permanently. But with unknown people on my tail and after my life, I couldn't risk being with anyone. After Iya learned about my past and the attempts on my life, she persuaded her stepfather to tell me about Saints' Isle.
According to Tyler, Iya's stepfather, Saints' Isle is a small island full of supernatural beings like us. If I wanted to disappear, learn more about my lineage and maybe find out the reason why someone is after me, Saints' Isle would be the perfect place to go.
The problem was, no one knows where or how to get to Saints' Isle, aside from those who've been to the island. But supernatural beings, who set foot on Saint's Isle, decide to live out the rest of their lives on the island and never venture outside. So finding a being, who purposely left, is rare and hard to come by.
Iya's family helped me acquire more information when they realized I was set on going to Saints' Isle. It took us almost a full year to screen useful information and filter unnecessary details since stories about the island vary from mouth to mouth.
It's been four years since I arrived in Saint's Isle. My life here has been uneventful but peaceful. I live quietly and safely, along with different breeds of supernatural beings you can think of. Some you probably wouldn't believe exist in reality because they're too unreal and mystical to be true.
There are humans on the island as well. But unlike people from the mainland, they're not unaware of the supernatural. Most of the humans in Saints' Isle are descendants of those who lived on the island for centuries and have not left for anywhere else. These humans don't know other kinds of lifestyle and even if they did, they would still choose to stay in Saints' Isle. Most humans practice magic while others are born with innate abilities, like telepaths and empaths. Saints' Isle is a haven for both humans and supernatural alike. And here, we thrive in peace and harmony.
Enough of my troubled past, for now, and let's go back to the main point. Where was I? Oh yeah, about how falling in love first makes you a loser.
I've had relationships in the past. None lasted, as I would have liked, but each was dealt with respect and care. The break ups were nothing dramatic, always amicable and mutual. It's ironic but I managed to remain friends with the people I went out with. And truth be told, I am better at being a friend than being a lover.
I guess it all boils down to the fact that I've never fallen in love. I always thought the idea was nothing more than an illusion, created by airheads who have nothing better to do with their lives. As far as I was concerned, relationships were built on compatibility, trust and mutual partnership.
The core of a relationship is companionship, enjoying each other. A vague emotion, such as love, was never part of the equation, at least not for me. I'm not being sarcastic. I'm not jaded or anything. It's just the way I think, feel and see things are a bit different. For me, as long as the attraction is there, I am willing to give it a try. You can't know if someone is compatible with you unless you get to know them, intimately.
But once I felt the erratic beating of my heart, the tingling sensations I couldn't explain or understand and the unstoppable need to monopolize someone, I knew I was a goner. I was in love.
Due to my striking looks and unconventional principles, most people view me as a flirt, who lacks morals. But the truth is, my partners are chosen with consideration and care. Yes, I went out with a lot of people but not all of them ended up in my bed. I've always been choosy with who I bedded. Sleeping together meant I want more than just a casual fling and would like to invest in the relationship. No one would believe that in the years I've been living in Saint's Isle I've had only two intimate partners.
My life on the island is normal, considering. I live in a decent-sized apartment and work as a manager in one of the most famous clubs in Saints' Isle, The Playground.
Falling in love with a man who despises the mere thought of me is, in all honesty, a major pain in the ass. But what am I supposed to do? If I knew how to stop, I would have done so a long time ago. It would have been easier if I'd fallen in love the 'normal' way. We meet then date, get engaged, eventually get married and live happily ever after.
But no. I, Quinn Amelia Lockhart, had to be obstinate and fall in love with an impossible man. And not just a 'regular' guy, mind you, not a sprite or another fae, not even a werewolf or a vampire that I'd probably have an easier time with.
No, I went and fell in love with an arrogant, over-confident and self-indulgent asshole who thinks other people are born for the sole purpose of pleasing him. Of all the men and women in Saints' Isle, in the world for that matter, I fell in love with the biggest jerk I've ever met in my entire life. The type of person who inspires daydreams in women and wet dreams in men, someone who everyone desires and aspires to be but secretly loathes and resents.
I often wonder what it is about the person that attracts me. It's like an itch I couldn't get rid of. No matter how I looked at it, reason with it, my feelings should have been impossible. The man was not in my strike zone, absolutely not my type at all. We have absolutely nothing in common. The only reason we communicate is because we'd probably expire if we don't insult each other at least once per day.
I could only sigh and bemoan my rotten luck in regards to matters of the heart.
I stopped glaring at the computer screen, rubbed my aching temples and pinched the bridge of my nose. Forcing my mind to focus on the paperwork is no use. I'm too distracted to make any sort of progress and only succeeded in committing mistakes.
Life is full of ironies, if you don't rise to the challenge then you're nothing but a stinking coward. But once, just once, I wished that person would approach me like he does everyone else. The whole club, if not the whole island of Saints' Isle, knows of our animosity towards each other. We're literally the meaning of thorns in each other's side.
There was never a time when we were in the same breathing space, that he and I didn't exchange harsh words and angry glares. Every time we appear in the same place people would cautiously back away, in fear of getting caught in the middle of the unexplainable feud.
It's a mystery to everyone why and how all that hostility doesn't manifest itself into something more 'physical'. After all, as supernaturals, we're known to be violent and cruel creatures. Even the most tamed being can turn into a beast when unknowingly provoked. And to my dismay, there's a secret betting pool on who will emerge victorious in the event that he and I decide to test each other's prowess.
"If they only knew!" I groaned loudly, irritably. No one knows and no one understands. It's damn tiring!
I stood up and went out of the office to do a spotcheck on the club. It's an excuse to skip doing paperwork and stretch my legs. I've been sitting, all afternoon, in the office checking the books and tallying numbers. Orion, the proprietor of The Playground, would be stopping by later and I want everything to be ready for his inspection.
"Hey, boss." Finn, our bartender, smiled in greeting. He's a full-blooded fae with flamingo-pink hair and amethyst-colored eyes.
"Hey, Finn." I greeted back leaning on the counter but not sitting on any of the stools. I've had enough of sitting for now. "Is everything ready for tonight?"
"Yeah, the twins would be on duty so you don't need to worry about any trouble." He replied, referring to Seth and Cam, our twin werewolves, who're working as bouncers for the club.
To be honest, I'm not very fond of werewolves. The people, who want my life, sent mostly wolves to attack me. But Seth and Cam are different. The twins might be towering bundles of muscles with intimidating auras but they are real sweethearts inside. I think their bulky physique is a wolf trait. Most of the werewolves I met, even the women, have well-toned and defined bodies. All were insanely huge and physically strong.
But then again, if you're working on a bar trying to keep peace amongst drunkards, and not just regular drunks but supernatural drunks, then size, muscle and strength are a huge advantage.
After chatting with Finn, I walked around the counter and headed towards the kitchen to talk to the rest of the crew. And after double-checking everything, I walked back to my office and continued battling my report.
I decided to shut myself in the office until Orion arrived. Knowing him, he'll be here past midnight, close to around two in the morning, a few hours before closing time. There's no reason for me to be out on the floor unless there's a problem I need to take care of. But knowing the crew, it'd be a very rare occurrence.
I worked in silence like I was possessed by the goddess of accounting and numbers. Once I tallied the last entry, I leaned back on my chair and rested my tired eyes.
I was enjoying some peace and solitude when the door of the office was unceremoniously kicked open and slammed shut with equal discretion. I didn't need to turn towards the door or open my eyes to look at the intruder, who interrupted my rest, to know who it was. There's only one person who's bold and arrogant enough to go to appear before me and create havoc without care.
Raziel Rheinalt.